Stuart Dallas had given United a 1-0 lead at Elland Road as Steve Evans's side looked in good shape for what would have been a fourth successive Championship victory.

But goals from Mark Hudson, Harry Bunn, Karim Matmour and Nahki Wells brought Leeds back to earth, amid suggestions that their momentum could see them nick a playoff spot.

It leaves them 13th in the Championship, 15 points adrift of sixth position - albeit with a game in hand - and Abbot claims that the supporters must demand that the club ask itself some honest questions about their ambition for next season.

"They're in a position where the real damage has been done," he told TV Yorkshire.

It was their first defeat since the 4-0 thrashing at Brighton & Hove Albion, in which they shipped four first-half goals last month.

Evans, though, could be forgiven for believing that it might prompt another fantastic response, having beaten Bolton Wanderers, Cardiff City and Blackburn Rovers in the three games since losing to Brighton.

Shane Callaghan

Shane is a Dublin-based sports writer who swapped the football pitch for the press box upon learning that he was better with a pen than with a round bit of leather. Prior to joining HITC, Shane enjoyed spells with Sports Mole and Goal.com among others, while he was also club reporter for Irish football club Drogheda United.